Every year, The Princess Margaret hosts a conference for scientists and clinician-scientists.
It allows the cancer experts to showcase their work, discuss ideas and identify opportunities for possible partnerships.
Now in its 8th year, this unique gathering in Muskoka has led to some exciting, new collaborations.

Dr. Scott Bratman

Scientist (Radiation Oncology)

“When I was at Stanford doing my training, I found circulating DNA for lung cancer patients and I knew that this was going to be my career.”

DR. NEESHA DHANI

Medical Oncologist (Pancreas)

It’s the patients who inspire Dr. Neesha Dhani each and every day. “I treat a lot of diseases with really bad prognosis and bad outcomes and it’s extremely humbling to see patients who agree to go on trials,” says Dr. Dhani.

Her work is challenging but always rewarding. “I don’t like being bored, Oncology is amazing for that. [Every] patient you meet is different,” says Dr. Dhani.

DR. PHEDIAS DIAMANDIS

Neuropathologist (Brain)

“That blend of trying to help people and trying to solve real practical problems is what gets me up in the morning.”

Dr. Phedias Diamandis says the “blend of trying to help people and trying to solve real practical problems is what gets me in the morning.” His biggest motivation is his curiosity to learn new things, and he’s excited for the future of pathology.

“I think every field is always evolving and I think you have to embrace innovations and new technologies,” says Dr. Diamandis. “I think as long as we’re providing value to our better understanding of a disease and helping patients there’s always room for good people in every field.”

Dr. Steven Gallinger

Surgical Oncologist (Gastrointestinal)

“I think it’s corny but people should just do what they’re passionate about, everything else falls
in place.”

Passion is key for Dr. Steven Gallinger. He believes it is one of the most important factors to consider when pursuing a career in medicine. “I think it’s corny but people should just do what they’re passionate about, everything else falls in to place. If you’re doing what drives you internally, then all the jobs and opportunities will come your way,” says Dr. Gallinger.

DR. HANSEN HE

Scientist (Prostate/GU)

Dr. Hansen He says his curiosity in cancer research is driven by his interest in how genetics work within the body, and how small things can control the complexity of human beings.

If he could give any piece of advice to someone entering his field, it would be to focus on collaboration. “There’s no single problem that we can solve by one single person,” says Dr. He.

Collaborations in his field are made amongst large groups of people like, “basic research scientists from different disciplines, clinicians, radiologists, nurses, [everyone contributes],” says Dr. He. “Medical science is important and critical to everybody’s life.”

DR. ANNE KOCH

Radiation Oncologist (Breast)

“I think the motivation is really wanting to do better for your patient population and I think that’s the major driving force for me.”

Dr. Anne Koch is a Radiation Oncologist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. She started off in cancer oncology, before getting her PhD and moving into clinical care. Dr. Koch says the work she does is challenging, but her colleagues always find a way to pull through.

DR. MATHIEU LUPIEN

Senior Scientist (Epigenetics)

“‘Le merveilleux la source de l'imaginaire,’ so astonishment is the source of the imagination and that’s exactly what I have the chance to live on a daily basis.”

DR. MADELINE LI

Psychiatrist (MAID)

Dr. Madeline Li is a Psychiatrist with the Department of Supportive Care at The Princess Margaret. She deals with the human side of the disease but she also understands it on a deeper level, because of her background in molecular science.

Living Biobank Team

DR. NIKOLINA RADULOVICH

Scientific Manager

“I would like to see that eventually we use this to test patient response to different treatments and hopefully accelerate personalized medicine.”

Dr. Nikolina Radulovich hopes the models used at the living biobank will accelerate cancer care treatments. “I would like to see that eventually we use this to test patient response to different treatments and hopefully accelerate personalized cancer medicine,” says Dr. Radulovich.

DR. NHU-AN PHAM

Scientific Manager

“There’s always new ways to look at challenges and we’re always finding new answers to help solve the problem of care and cancer.”

Dr. Nhu-An Pham believes collaboration is very important when testing new theories and models in the workplace. She also loves a good challenge. “There are always new ways to look at challenges and we’re always finding new answers to help solve the problem of care and cancer,” says Dr. Pham.

Dr. David Hedley

Senior Scientist (Pancreas)

“I’m passionate about it. I don’t do it for the money, I don’t do it for its fame or glory, I just want to contribute, and it gives me satisfaction.”

Dr. David Hedley helped to establish the original patient-derived xenografts – a surgical graft of tissue from one species to an unlike species – to form the basis for the Living Biobank.

Dr. Hedley loves working at the Living Biobank and his passion for work is driven by discovery. “I’m passionate about it. I don’t do it for the money, I don’t do it for the fame or glory, I just want to contribute and it gives me satisfaction,” says Dr. Hedley.